Cubs' Colvin, Grabow have much to prove at spring training

Outfielder will be tested mentally, relief pitcher physically

When the Cubs gather next month in Mesa, Ariz., Tyler Colvin and John Grabow will have more to prove than most — to themselves and the team.

Neither is quite sure what to expect. Colvin is overcoming mental scars from a bat impaling his chest, and Grabow is overcoming the physical uncertainty of a nagging knee injury.

They had their seasons cut short — in the case of Grabow, a very long short — and will use spring training as a testing ground.

"I don't think it (will affect me)," Colvin said of possible fears about a repeat of the flying bat that sent him to the hospital. "I couldn't foresee that happening again. I'm not going to go out there and play scared. I'm just going to play like (I do) every day."

That's easier said than done with his last memory of a game being the Sept. 19 incident in Miami. But Colvin, who said he watched video replays only during his hospitalization, insists he will be fine.

"It's a pretty scary moment," he admitted, "when you think about going to the hospital and they're going to fly you in a helicopter. I'm glad it's over with and I'm healthy and ready for this year."

Grabow's case is different but the same. He needs to be mentally sure his left knee has healed from nearly yearlong soreness that ended his season June 28, and he needs to regain the confidence of an organization that gave him a two-year, $7.5 million contract.

"I never really had an injury before, and it came right after I signed the contract," Grabow said, "so I'm looking to redeem myself."

Instead of having surgery for a torn ligament, he opted for rehab. And while he has passed all tests, including throwing off a mound, it has been done while wearing a brace.

"I'm going to throw in the brace until I feel comfortable where it's not an issue," he said. "But if I have to wear it all season, I will because this could be a real special year for our team."

Grabow hopes to regain his role as main setup man, although Sean Marshall basically won it while Grabow was away.

And Colvin's role? Neither he nor manager Mike Quade is sure because the outfield is overfilled. While Colvin — who hit .254 as a rookie with 20 homers and 56 RBIs — will play if he hits, he doesn't expect it to be at first base.

After the Cubs traded Derrek Lee late last season, Colvin was mentioned as a possible replacement. But that plan was scrapped before he received much of a chance to test his first baseman's glove.

Then he was injured. And then came the offseason signing of Carlos Pena.

"We'll have to see what Quade wants to do," Colvin said. "I still have (the glove) from last year, but I'm not going to put it on unless he tells me to."